Abstract: A novel optical system operative to transfer, with high efficiency, optical power from a line source, such as a LDB, built from a plurality of individual light sources with different angular distribution in two orthogonal axis into a rectangular area with a particular aspect ratio and two different numerical apertures. The near field pattern of a LDB is imaged onto the plane of an SLM. The system utilizes light generated from an LDB having a plurality of individual light sources to illuminate a microlens array. The microlens array, consisting of a plurality of microlenses, functions to collimate the light from the LDB in the slow axis. An optical element adjacent the microlens array refracts the light in the fast axis. In the slow axis, the light from the microlens array is incident upon an optical element which focuses the light onto the SLM plane such that the light from each point light source illuminates the entire active pixel area of the SLM.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus is provided which includes a generally cylindrical drum defining a substrate support surface, a head operative to record information onto a substrate on the substrate support surface, and substrate feed and position apparatus for precise rotational positioning and displacement of the substrate with respect to an internal surface of cylindrical drum. The apparatus includes a plurality of linear motors arranged along the internal surface of the cylindrical drum for feeding the substrate, and control apparatus for controlling the linear motors to achieve precise positioning of the substrate support surface.

Abstract: An integrated computerized system for use in color printing having at least one digital representation of a color characteristic of at least one page to be printed and a digital storage memory for storing the digital representation. An imposition apparatus is connected to the storage memory to receive the digital representation and arrange the digital representation in accordance with a desired plate layout, thereby to define a plate image. A press set-up device extracts from the plate image the color characteristic and provides ink flow set-up data to a printing press in accordance with the extracted color characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for on-demand printing is provided. The system includes at least one image capturing device, preferably a digital camera, which captures images during an event. The images captured by the digital cameras are transmitted to at least one printing station in which the captured images are stored and displayed, preferably but not necessarily after editing. The spectators of the event may request during the event, or shortly after, that any of the displayed images will be printed and the printing system of the present invention is suited to address their request on demand, i.e. it prints the desired image within a short time, preferably in the range of tens of seconds.

Abstract: An image-setter and a scanning method are disclosed. The image setter includes at least two scanning surfaces, a media conveying system for conveying at least two light sensitive media to respective ones of the scanning surfaces, and an optical system for scanning substantially simultaneously the at least two light sensitive media on said respective scanning surfaces. The scanning method includes the steps of providing at least two scanning surfaces, conveying at least two light sensitive media to respective ones of said scanning surfaces, and employing an optical system for scanning substantially simultaneously the at least two light sensitive media on said respective scanning surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically balancing a rotating drum mounted in a fixed frame. The apparatus has at least one balancing set, each balancing set includes two weights, each of the two weights is movable along a circular track attached to the drum and substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of the drum, and a mechanism for holding each of the two weights at any fixed position along the track during rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A plate feeding system for grasping and moving a plate from a stack of plates. The system includes an arm mechanism having a plate grasping member for grasping the plate and a plate interposing member for interposing between the plate and an adjacent plate. Also disclosed is a method of feeding a plate from a stack of plates. The method includes grasping the plate, using a plate grasping member of an arm mechanism, interposing a member between the plate and an adjacent plate, and transporting the plate.

Abstract: A paper disposal and compacting apparatus capable of causing sheets of paper and other substrates to be disposed, to fold in a compact accordion like manner. The apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller adjacent and parallel to one another to force the sheets to pass between the rollers and a first roller driving device for rotating the first roller. The apparatus further includes a paper waste container for receiving the sheets after passing between the rollers. The container dimensions sized to match the sheets to be disposed to cause the folding in the compact accordion like manner of the sheets.

Abstract: An internal drum recorder images a media to a radiation pattern using an image array, which extends along a primary track, such as a helical track, and in a direction essentially perpendicular to the primary track. In one embodiment, the source of radiation is a laser aimed along the longitudinal axis of the drum, deflected and applied through a light modifier within a spinner. The light modifier is a device breaking the single laser beam into a number of sub-beams. Alternately, a number of laser diodes rotating within a translatable spinner may be used to produce the image. A gripper bar rotating about the longitudinal axis of the drum facilitates introducing and removing new sheets into the drum. A focus detector rotating within the spinneris used to correct the radial distance to the media surface from the spinner.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for screening an image for half-tone reproduction by image reproduction apparatus which includes a marking device, preferably a laser beam, which is operative to mark a medium along a multiplicity of parallel marking lines. The method includes the steps of providing a digital representation of density values of an original image, determining whether to rotate dot shape information in accordance with the dot shape symmetry and density, rotating dot shape information if the symmetry and density criteria are met, storing said dot shape information in its rotated on nonrotated form, said dot shape information representative of a screen function; and extracting said dot shape information from storage for said density values in the form of information that designates on and off points for each marking line. The apparatus includes means for carrying the steps of the disclosed method.

Abstract: A disk drive that is the product of modifying a standard computer disk drive to read and write data in parallel with all of its transducer heads at once, rather than serially with only one head at a time. A method and apparatus are disclosed for protecting the disk drive's platters from damage and contamination while working on the interior of the disk drive case. The apparatus includes a hinged cover that replaces a conventional disk drive cover while work is being performed on circuitry within the disk drive case. The hinged cover seals off the platters and the inside of the disk drive case except for the circuitry being worked on.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the method for generating an artificial shadow in a two dimensional color image. The method includes the steps of providing a shadow scenes library, each shadow scene representing at least one artificial shadow orientation with respect to an object forming the shadow, receiving a user input, the user selecting one of the shadow scenes and an object in the two dimensional image to be shadowed, and forming an artificial shadow to the object to be shadowed in accordance with the selected shadow scene.

Abstract: Apparatus for mode coupling in a waveguide that includes an engagement substrate arranged for intimate contact with a waveguide, and at least two actuators coupled to the engagement substrate and operative to create an interference pattern in the engagement substrate for producing a periodic deformation of the waveguide.

Abstract: A technique for screening an image for half-tone reproduction by image reproduction apparatus including a marking device which is operative to mark a medium along a multiplicity of parallel marking lines including the steps of providing a digital representation of density values of an original image, storing dot shape information representative of a screen function in a line-by-line, input density-by-input density arrangement and extracting the dot shape information from storage for the density values in the form of information that designates on and off points for each marking line. Apparatus for carrying out the technique is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for random screening including an exposure select operator which receives two-dimensional coordinate information relating to a screen and input density information relating to an image to be screened, the operator being characterized in that for a constant input density it provides a constant exposure output over each of a multiplicity of groups of contiguous coordinate regions, at least some of which groups are mutually non-aligned.

Abstract: A technique for screening an image for half-tone reproduction by image reproduction apparatus including a marking device which is operative to mark a medium along a multiplicity of parallel marking lines including the steps of providing a digital representation of density values of an original image, storing dot shape information representative of a screen function in a line-by-line, input density-by-input density arrangement and extracting the dot shape information from storage for the density values in the form of information that designates on and off points for each marking line. Apparatus for carrying out the technique is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a surface of a printing medium, the method comprising the steps of acquiring an image of the surface or a portion thereof, digitizing the acquired image whereby a digitized real representation of the surface or portion is obtained.

Abstract: A laser plotter having the ability to cut registration holes while the medium is in a plotting location within the laser plotter is disclosed. The plotter includes laser plotting apparatus and laser cutting apparatus whose axes of rotation are identical. The laser plotting and laser cutting apparatus can utilize the same or different optical paths. The laser plotting apparatus can perform raster and vector scanning motions.

Abstract: A system and method for artwork design and production which an artwork preparation administrator and a plurality of operation units each of which performs at least one of a multiplicity of different artwork preparation tasks. The administrator includes a workflow manager and a workflow definition unit for managing the production of a user-defined workflow having a multiplicity of artwork preparation tasks. The workflow manager includes a) apparatus for initiating operation of selected operation units, b) apparatus for receiving and processing task information from the selected operation units when they perform one of the artwork preparation tasks and c) apparatus for producing a process list. The process list includes processed task information from at least one of the artwork preparation tasks and is ordered in accordance with a portion of the workflow which has at least one artwork preparation task therein.

Abstract: A control strip including an analog representation of a control color image useful in controlling the reproduction of a main color image, characterized in that the analog representation of the control color image was provided by the method of providing a digital representation of the control color image and transforming the digital representation of the control color image into the analog representation of the control color image.